Image-based item detection and allocation

Abstract

This disclosure describes a system for managing inventory as it transitions into a materials handling facility, as it transitions between locations within a materials handling facility and/or as it transitions out of a materials handling facility. In some instances, a user (e.g., picker or picking agent) may retrieve an item from an inventory location and place the item into a tote. The systems described herein detect the item when it is added to or removed from the tote.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 detecting a user in a transition area designated within or adjacent to an inventory holding area; 
 identifying the user and at least an account associated with the user; 
 capturing one or more images, with an imaging device located at a fixed position in the transition area and oriented to have a field of view of at least a portion of the transition area to determine one or more items positioned in the transition area, wherein the capturing occurs without movement of the one or more items; 
 processing the one or more images to identify the one or more items positioned in the transition area; 
 generating, based at least in part on the processing of the one or more images, an item list indicating the one or more items; 
 presenting information corresponding to at least one of the one or more items to the user; and 
 allocating, using the item list, the one or more items to the account associated with the user. 
 
     
     
       2. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the capturing the one or more images of at least the portion of the transition area includes capturing the one or more images of the one or more items positioned in a cart. 
     
     
       3. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the item list includes at least one of an item name, a short item description, an item price, or an item weight. 
     
     
       4. The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to the identifying the account associated with the user, obtaining an item identifier list associated with the account, the item identifier list indicating item identifiers associated with the user; and 
 comparing the item identifier list and the item list to determine whether the one or more items indicated on the item list correspond to item identifiers indicated on the item identifier list. 
 
     
     
       5. The computer-implemented method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 determining a difference between at least one item indicated on the item list and the item identifier list; and 
 providing a notification of the difference. 
 
     
     
       6. A system, comprising:
 an imaging device that is located at a fixed position in the transition area and oriented to have a field of view of at least a portion of a transition area; 
 one or more processors in communication with the imaging device; and 
 a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to at least:
 capture one or more images, with the imaging device, of at least the portion of the transition area including one or more items positioned in the transition area; 
 identify the one or more items included in the one or more images; 
 generate an item list indicating the one or more items identified in the one or more images; 
 present, to a user, information corresponding to the one or more items included in the item list; and 
 allocate the one or more items to the user. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 detect at least one of the user or a cart in the transition area prior to the capture of the one or more images. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the capture of the one or more images occurs without movement of the one or more items positioned in the transition area. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 charge a payment account associated with the user for a value of the one or more items. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 assign to the user a rental agreement for use of the one or more items for a term. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the transition area is within or adjacent to an exit of an inventory holding area. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 compare the item list with an item identifier list associated with the user to determine whether the one or more items indicated on the item list correspond to items indicated on the item identifier list; and 
 in response to a determination of a difference between the item list and the item identifier list, provide an indication of the difference. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a scale, in communication with the one or more processors, configured to determine a weight of at least one item of the one or more items; and 
 wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 determine, based on a signal provided by the scale, a weight of at least one item of the one or more items; and 
 wherein the item list further indicates the weight of the at least one item. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 update an inventory count within an inventory holding area for each of the one or more items, the inventory holding area being a prior repository of the one or more items. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors to present information corresponding to the one or more items, further include program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to at least:
 present the information on a display located in the transition area and positioned in view of the user. 
 
     
     
       16. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 determining a user positioned within a transition area; 
 capturing one or more images, with an imaging device in the transition area, of at least a portion of a transition area located within or adjacent to an inventory holding area; 
 analyzing the one or more images to determine one or more item identifiers corresponding to one or more items positioned within the transition area; 
 associating the one or more item identifiers with the user; and 
 updating an inventory count of the one or more items in the inventory holding area. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 presenting, to the user, information about the one or more items. 
 
     
     
       18. The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 charging the user for the one or more items. 
 
     
     
       19. The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 determining an account associated with the user; and 
 adding the one or more item identifiers to the account associated with the user. 
 
     
     
       20. The computer-implemented method of  claim 16 , wherein the capturing occurs without movement of the one or more items.